The Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Dingyadi, has pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the country.
Dingyadi made the pledge in Abuja when the ICRC delegation, led by Mr Yann Bonzon, the ICRC Accredited Representative to ECOWAS, paid him a courtesy visit.
The minister commended the delegation, noting that ICRC had over the years been known for its assistance in ensuring the protection of lives across the world.
According to him, in achieving this target, a person needs the assistance of stakeholders, especially the police.
“I want to assure you that the Ministry of Police Affairs is here to support you and guide the police force in its operations.
“We will do all within our reach to support your activities and ensure that you succeed in the assignment you are given to perform.
“Your major responsibility is to respond to situations of conflicts within the international Standard Operating Procedure (SOP),” he said.
The minister said the SOP, drafted by ICRC, was a step in the right direction and pledged to ensure that the draft was studied and necessary input made.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to reforming the police to make them as civil as possible and appreciate their responsibility of serving the public in the most democratic manner.
In his remarks, Bonzon said the visit was to brief the minister on the activities of ICRC and submit a draft of the SOP for consideration and input.
He said ICRC had over the years supported the activities of the police in the protection of lives and property in the country.
In another development, the Federal Government says it has targeted 1.4 million Nigerians under the Government Enterprises Empowerment Programme (GEEP 2.0) Phase II.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq said this at the inauguration of the programme on Thursday in Dutse.
The newsmen report that the beneficiaries has been enrolled under the various components of the project such as Tradermoni; MarketMoni, and vulnerable, underprivileged and marginalised women.
Newsmen also report that 6,000 beneficiaries registered under the programme in Jigawa would be provided with interest-free loans ranging from N50,000 to N300,000 each depending on their businesses.
Represented by Dr Nasiru Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, the minister said the gesture was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s drive to eradicate poverty in the country.
The minister who made a symbolic presentation of N50,000 and N300,000 cheques to selected beneficiaries, said the programme was designed to uplift the living standard of the vulnerable, poor and low-income earners to create opportunity for them in the national economic environment.
She noted that when Buhari administration took over in 2015, over 70 per cent of Nigerians were below the poverty line, adding that the president initiated viable programmes to uplift many people out of poverty.
“The story is no longer the same in the country as many people are now living above the poverty level after the introduction of various intervention programmes aimed at enhancing economic productivity in the country,” she said.
Also speaking, Technical Assistant to the Minister, Hajiya Zainab Musa said that Jigawa had the highest number of beneficiaries registered under the programme.
She said the programme had been digitalised to ease registration and loan disbursement processes, adding the beneficiaries were selected sequel to the verification exercise using the Bank Verification Number (BVN), to ascertain their credit history and authenticate the genuineness of the applicants.
Musa also thanked the state government for its support to facilitate the successful implementation of the programme.
Gov. Muhammad Badaru lauded President Buhari’s administration’s economic empowerment programmes aimed at improving the social and economic status of the people.
Badaru, who was represented by the Head of Service, Alhaji Hussaini Kella, also thanked the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for accommodating Jigawa in the programme.
